 Shortly after last year’s Gathering, I “unretired” and began working halftime for the Region as Interim Ministry and Mission Coach for the Wyoming Cluster. When Steve first approached me about the position, I was very ambivalent, for I felt inadequate to the job. I am a layman with no clergy experience as a minister. But I have been an active American Baptist churchman all my adult life, have held many positions in local churches and have worked closely with the Region, especially in financial areas. I have been on the board of Central Baptist Theological Seminary for 15 years; while Mary Beth was a student, I audited a number of classes. After consultation with some trusted advisors and much prayer, I felt led to undertake this new calling on an interim basis.
The Region has provided a number of training opportunities to help enhance my knowledge and skills. The coaches had a training session on coaching with Sandra Wimpelberg, which introduced me to the basics of content-free coaching. The Covey Conference on the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People was held for many leaders in the churches of the Region, and was quite helpful in managing how I work. I have also attended two classes, one on Baptist History and Polity and one on Spiritual Formation, offered by the Ministerial Leadership Committee for pastors in our Region without seminary training. Each was very useful.
My principal efforts this year have been in getting acquainted with the churches and pastors of the Wyoming Cluster. I have worshipped with each of the churches and visited all of the pastors. I have also met a number of the lay people in the churches. In a few cases, I have been invited to preach in the churches. Wyoming is a large state, and I have driven many miles across it, seeing some parts of it that I had not seen before. The Wyoming Cluster has the largest area and the smallest number of churches of our five clusters. I am working with one pastoral search committee. Since I am not experienced in this area, Steve is also working with them; I am learning a lot from this experience. I have arranged two meetings with missionaries, one in the eastern part of Wyoming and one in the western part, to which all the churches of the Cluster were invited. Dan and Estela Schweissing shared the challenges that face International Ministries and our missionaries.
I have worked especially closely with the Evanston church, which is experiencing difficulties with respect to the mortgage on their building.
I have some specific Region staff responsibilities. I am the staff representative to the SoulJourners Senior Adult Conference; I had served as a member of this committee for a couple of years before joining the staff. This annual conference has been a blessing to many of our seniors and has received a lot of positive feedback. I have also attended most meetings of the board of Wyoba, our camp for Wyoming on Casper Mountain. The Board is making considerable progress at Wyoba, and a successful camping season is winding up.
The Region has established a Congregational Transformation Consultation Team to work with churches seeking to renew and transform their mission. Mary Tellis provides the staff leadership for this group, but I join in the discussions as we try to develop tools and procedures to help our churches.
I also serve on the Ministerial Leadership Committee, which provides training opportunities for pastors and lay persons, and considers the readiness of ministers seeking ordination. Currently, two of our Wyoming pastors are completing the ordination approval process, one for standard ordination and one for regional ordination.
I represent the American Baptist Churches to the Wyoming Association of Churches (WAC). The WAC celebrated the culmination of some of their efforts in environmental protection when Congress passed legislation protecting large areas of the Wyoming Range from further development. The WAC is undergoing substantial change with a change of leadership and some downsizing due to conclusion of some funding grants.
This new undertaking has been challenging for me, but very rewarding. I have become acquainted with many of our Wyoming American Baptists. I am trying to develop skills and understanding that permit me to help our churches become stronger and carry out their mission as the hands and feet of Christ. I am grateful for all the help and support I have received from Steve, the other coaches, and all the staff and Region Board. It is a privilege to serve in this position, and I thank you all for the opportunity.
Bill Mankin
Interim Ministry and Mission Coach
Wyoming Cluster
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